Phobias

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that is more than simple fear.

Many people are afraid of things. Fear only becomes a phobia when you begin to organise your life around avoiding the thing that frightens you.

If you have a phobia, you’ll have an overwhelming need to avoid all contact with the source of your anxiety. Coming into contact with the thing you are afraid of will cause you to feel anxiety and/or panic. Sometimes just thinking about the thing can cause these feelings.

Phobias can be caused by many things, including:

  • animals
  • objects
  • places
  • situations

If the cause of your phobia is an object or animal that you do not see regularly, it’s unlikely to affect your day-to-day life. But, if you encounter the cause of your phobia regularly, you may find it very difficult to lead a normal life.

Types of phobia

Although there are many different phobias, they can be divided into 2 categories:

Simple phobias

Simple phobias are fears about specific objects, animals, situations or activities. Some common examples include:

  • dogs (cynophobia)
  • spiders (arachnophobia)
  • snakes (ophidiophobia)
  • enclosed spaces (claustrophobia)
  • dentists (dentophobia)
  • flying (aerophobia)

Simple phobias affect different people in different ways. Some people only react with mild anxiety when confronted with the object of their fear. Others experience severe anxiety or have a severe panic attack.

Complex phobias

Complex phobias tend to be more disabling than simple phobias. This is because they’re often associated with a deep-rooted fear or anxiety about a particular circumstance or situation.

Speaking to a GP about your anxiety may help to identify a complex phobia.

Two common examples of complex phobias are agoraphobia and social phobia.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult, or where help wouldn’t be available if things go wrong.

Agoraphobia often involves a combination of several interlinked phobias. Someone with agoraphobia may also fear being left alone (monophobia), or places where they feel trapped (claustrophobia).

This means someone with agoraphobia may find it difficult to:

  • travel on public transport
  • visit a shopping centre
  • leave home (in extreme cases)

The symptoms experienced by agoraphobics vary in severity. Some people feel very apprehensive and anxious if they have to leave their home to visit the shops. Others may feel relatively comfortable travelling a short distance from their home.

Social phobia

If you have social phobia, you may experience fear of:

  • being in social situations, like weddings
  • performing in social situations, like public speaking
  • leaving home because of the risk of meeting people (in extreme cases)

If you have a social phobia, the thought of being seen in public or appearing at social events can make you feel very anxious and frightened. These situations can make you feel vulnerable.

Intentionally avoiding meeting people in social situations, like at a dinner party, is a sign of social phobia.

How common are phobias?

Phobias are the most common type of anxiety disorder. In the UK, an estimated 10 million people have phobias. Phobias can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex and social background.

Symptoms of phobias

People with phobias usually need to avoid contact with the thing that causes fear. How far someone with a phobia will go to avoid contact varies considerably.

For example, someone with a fear of spiders (arachnophobia) may not want to touch a spider, while someone else may not be able to even look at a picture of one.

This means that all phobias can limit your daily activities and may cause severe anxiety and depression.

Physical symptoms

Panic attacks are common among people with phobias. They can be very frightening and distressing. The symptoms often occur suddenly and without warning.

As well as overwhelming feelings of anxiety, a panic attack can cause physical symptoms including:

  • sweating
  • trembling
  • hot flushes or chills
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • a choking sensation
  • rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
  • chest pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest
  • a sensation of butterflies in the stomach
  • nausea
  • headaches and dizziness
  • feeling faint
  • numbness or pins and needles
  • dry mouth
  • a need to go to the toilet
  • ringing in your ears
  • feeling confused or disorientated

In severe cases, you may also experience psychological symptoms such as:

  • fear of losing control
  • fear of fainting
  • feelings of dread
  • fear of dying

Causes of phobias

Phobias usually develop during childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. They often begin after a frightening event or a stressful situation. But, it is not always clear why some phobias occur.

Phobias are not passed on genetically (running in families). If people in your family share your phobia, it is likely that you all learnt it from another family member as children.

Diagnosing phobias

Most people with a phobia are usually fully aware that they have one. Many people live with a phobia without having it formally diagnosed and by taking care to avoid the thing they are afraid of.

Whatever type of phobia you have, you may benefit from speaking to your GP. They may refer you to a mental healthcare specialist, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, who can help.

How are phobias treated?

Almost all phobias can be successfully treated and cured.

Treating simple phobias

Treating simple phobias involves gradually becoming exposed to the animal, object, place or situation that causes fear. This is known as desensitisation or self-exposure therapy.

Each phobia is different and no single programme will work for everyone. You may decide to get help from a mental healthcare specialist, like a psychologist, or to use your own self-help strategy.

Our mental health self-help guides are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). They’ve proven highly successful in helping people with anxiety and other mental health issues.

Treating complex phobias

Treating complex phobias often takes longer and involves talking therapies, such as counselling, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Speak to your GP for further information about treating a complex phobia.

Medication

Medication is not usually used to treat phobias. However, it’s sometimes prescribed to help people cope with the effects of anxiety. The medication used may include:

  • antidepressants
  • tranquilisers
  • beta-blockers

Last updated:
29 November 2023